WHO WILL FIGHT FOR US? What we are fighting for? These questions guide our lives and the lives of generations. The Book of Judges shows us that when we are unwilling to fight as God commanded, compromise to get along, fight with the wrong people, and fight for lesser things, then we descend into tribalism and chaos. We end up with the disaster of everyone doing what is right in their own eyes. Then we find ourselves crying out again…WHO WILL FIGHT FOR US?
No starter this week.
The Lord promised the land of Canaan to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. The people of Canaan were so wicked and had polluted the land so badly the Lord said they had to get out. God tells the Israelites to, divide the Land by lot, drive out inhabitants, not to make treaties or covenants, destroy idols and worship sites, not intermarry, not adopt Canaanite customs, and worship only at the chosen place, setting yourselves and the land apart. It is now time for the people of God to take the land. However, The Angel of the Lord confronts them with reality, “But you have not obeyed Me. What is this you have done?” “The Lord’s anger burned” so He “raised up judges” like Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar. The people abandon the Lord again and the question is raised, “Hasn’t the Lord commanded you?“ Am I not sending you?”
Reminder: When reading a narrative part of the bible, especially the book of judges, God is often giving a description of what happened not necessarily a prescription of what He ideally wanted or wants for us now.
READ: Luke 14:26-28